Word · CEFR B2 · Frequency #5327
gradual
逐渐的；逐步的
Happening or changing little by little over time; proceeding by small degrees or stages
- 1.
Proceeding or advancing by small, slow, regular steps or degrees
渐进的；逐步的。
- 2.
proceeding in small stages
逐步进行的
- 3.
(of a topographical gradient) not steep or abrupt
(地形坡度)不陡峭的,平缓的
平缓的；不陡的；渐进的；逐步的。；逐步进行的；(地形坡度)不陡峭的,平缓的；逐渐的
In use
There has been a gradual increase in temperature over the past few weeks.
She noticed the gradual change in his attitude towards work.
The gradual decline of the old building made it unsafe.
a gradual increase in prices
a gradual slope
gradual + noun
gradual 常放在名词前作定语，表示逐渐的变化。
There has been a gradual increase in temperature.
温度逐渐升高。
be + gradual
用于系动词后作表语，描述事物性质。
The change is gradual.
变化是逐渐的。
Connections
Collocations
- gradual change
- 逐渐的变化
- The gradual change in the weather surprised no one.天气的逐渐变化没有让任何人感到惊讶。
- gradual process
- 循序渐进的过程
- Learning a language is a gradual process.学习语言是一个循序渐进的过程。
- gradual increase
- 逐渐增加
- Doctors recommend a gradual increase in exercise.医生建议逐渐增加运动量。
- gradual improvement
- 逐步改善
- We have seen a gradual improvement in her health.我们看到她的健康状况逐渐好转。
- gradual decline
- 逐渐下降
- There has been a gradual decline in sales this year.今年销售额逐渐下降。
- gradual slope
Learner notes
Memory Tip
联想：grad 像 grade（年级），一级一级升上去就是 gradual“逐步的”；坡度一级级变缓也就不陡了。
Context & Register
语域：neutral 常见场景：日常交流、新闻报道、学术写作 通常为中性用词，日常口语和正式书面语中都比较常见；具体含义（如逐渐的、平缓的）需根据搭配对象判断。
Pronunciation & Spelling
这些词都以 -ual 结尾，但发音不同：gradual 的结尾 /dʒuəl/ 与 individual、residual 的读音一致（但重音位置不同，不算严格押韵）；visual 和 usual 的结尾是 /ʒuəl/；actual 的结尾是 /tʃuəl/；annual 的结尾是 /njuəl/。注意拼写相似，不要按字母直读。
High-value vocabulary
该词属于 Oxford 核心词汇，值得优先掌握常见搭配和句型。
Usage priority
Collins 词频等级为 3，建议结合例句记忆，而不是只背中文释义。
Dictionary facts from AI_FALLBACK, DICTIONARY_API_DEV, ECDICT, WORDNET.